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Alumni
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Creating a Legacy
Many students filled the rooms of the old house on Union Street and have walked the halls of the Craig Acres campus here on Poplar Tent Road over our fifty years of history. For some of our alumni, as they’ve grown and started families of their own, the impact this school made was something they wanted to pass along.
We are excited to see our legacy families growing as we continue paving our way. We define our legacies as students whose parents or grandparents attended Cabarrus Academy and/or Cannon School. In this edition of the magazine, which celebrates how and why Cannon School has been home to so many, we wanted to spotlight our alumni who have brought their children back to Cannon School to have an experience similar to their own.
CARRIE ALLEN ’11, mom to Kai ’34
Are there things at Cannon School today that remain the same from your time here? Are there things that stand out as different?
Cannon has evolved in many ways since my graduation in 2011. There are more buildings, new teachers, and new staff—yet I am floored by the number of things that remain the same in spirit and form. Many of the same teachers are there (with just as much enthusiasm). It’s like I’m sharing a piece of myself with Kai when he walks through the same doors I remember walking through at dropoff each morning.
What makes Cannon School home to you and your family?
From my first day at Cannon in the third grade to my graduation in 2011, Cannon School was home. It was the constant in my life during my transformative and awkward years, and it gave me a sense of confidence in who I am and what I was capable of. Now that my son, Kai, is embarking on his own journey at Cannon, it’s like returning home and sharing my roots with my family. Beyond the sense that it’s all so familiar—it’s a place I feel we are all cherished as part of the community. And, as it turns out, that doesn’t end at graduation.
Alumni
FORD CRAVEN ’96, dad to Kindred ’35
What is a favorite memory from your time at Cabarrus Academy?
Hard to pinpoint one memory but field days and field trips were always awesome. The school was downtown then, so we would walk to the library and I could ride my bike to school. The school itself was one of Concord’s most historic homes and I always thought how cool it was that our classes were in bedrooms, kitchens, and closets. Art class was a favorite of mine and Halloween was always fun because the teachers and parents made a haunted house in the basement.
Are there things at Cannon today that remain the same from your time at Cabarrus Academy? Are there things that stand out as different?
I’ve only had since August to start experiencing this school again but one thing that is similar is that Head of School Christopher Jones ushers his students out of the pick-up line with a wave or a nod. My Head of School, Richard Snyder, would always be at the front door in the mornings to shake every student’s hand as they came in. What’s different? Sounds crazy but we didn’t have much in the way of organized sports. We had PE down at the Boys Club and a boys and girls basketball team. Well, a few of us did have the original Nintendo that we played after school and on the weekends, so I guess we were Cannon School’s first esports team!
WILL CANNON ’01, son to Bill Cannon ’73 and dad to Eli ’30 and Emma ’32
What was it like being a legacy to now having your own children attend Cannon?
My wife and I wanted an educational environment where our children would be safe, nurtured, and challenged. I remember feeling this way as a student at Cannon and clearly see the same experience in my children.
What makes Cannon School home to your family?
Well, it was originally housed, literally, in a Cannon family home. My father grew up there and attended Cannon at that location. My children are the third generation of our family to attend. I can’t possibly list all of my extended family members who have attended or still attend Cannon. Despite the familial connection, Cannon is home because it is an academic institution that fosters whole-child growth.
Alumni Events
Our Alumni Swim Meet brought alumni Aquacougs back to the YMCA for fun relay races with the varsity team and breakfast back on campus. Thank you to Leigh Northrup for helping to put together a great morning.
We hosted one of our largest Alumni Soccer Games with thirty alumni taking on our varsity team back at the beginning of August. Thank you to our new coach, Matt Denton, for helping to make the day a success!
Alumni Jazz Jam was hosted on Tuesday, December 28 at Cabarrus Brewing Company. Thanks to Brad Davis and the alumni for providing the entertainment!
Upcoming Events
Class Reunions Saturday, June 25, 2022 | Cannon School
5 Year Reunions: Class of 2015, 2016, and 2017 10 Year Reunions: Class of 2010, 2011, and 2012 15 Year Reunions: Class of 2005, 2006, and 2007 20 Year Reunion: Class of 2002
